Fraunhofer-Glashütte

About the museum

In 1805 the entrepreneur Joseph von Utzschneider acquired buildings of the former Benediktbeuern Abbey and set up a glassworks and an optical institute there. From 1807 the young Joseph von Fraunhofer worked here, first as a glass grinder, then on the production of telescopes, microscopes and instruments for land surveying. In the simple glassworks with its two wood-fired melting furnaces, he improved the production of optical glass free of striae, among other things with a stirring mechanism that made the melt more uniform.

With instruments he built himself, Fraunhofer discovered in 1814 the dark lines in the solar spectrum that now bear his name. They are regarded as the cornerstone of spectroscopy and still play a role today in the exploration of space.

The surviving glassworks on the abbey grounds is now an exhibition site of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. A severe storm badly damaged the building in 2023, so that it had to be closed to visitors. After renovation, the glassworks is due to reopen on October 24, 2026, with a new exhibition. It leads from Fraunhofer's life and work through the glassmaking of the early 19th century – from raw material through melting, stirring and cooling to grinding the lens – to the present-day research of the Fraunhofer institutes.

Highlights

• Two original pot furnaces with stirring mechanism
• Site of the discovery of the Fraunhofer lines in the solar spectrum (1814)
• Production of optical glass from raw material to lens
• Tools for glass and metalworking and optical instruments
• A bridge from Fraunhofer's work to present-day Fraunhofer research

Permanent exhibitions

• Ausstellung in der Fraunhofer-Glashütte – Newly designed exhibition on the life and work of Joseph von Fraunhofer, the production of optical glass in the early 19th century and present-day Fraunhofer research, centered on the two historic melting furnaces.

Founded

1990

Operated by

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The exhibition has been designed to be as barrier-free as possible; however, the historic interior has uneven floors, thresholds, platforms, glass surfaces and some narrow spots.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

The glassworks is located on the grounds of Benediktbeuern Abbey.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit